Breakfast this morning was a sort of rice pudding with milk, and black tea. Amazing the cullinary delights we are grtting used to!

Sorted the car, fuelled up, and off, looking forward to the continuation of the tarred road we found yesterday. Alas, it was no to be, as we got to the outskirts of the town, we hit the dirt track.So all day was spent alternating between rough as you can imagine to reasonable dirt track. Speeds varied between walking pace if we were lucky and about 75kph where it was good. Had a couple of spells where we came across a stream, so i had to get out and scout for a crossing place, which we managed OK. Then we got to a river! The local started placing rocks in the river so that we could go off the bank without crashing down 2 feet into the river, but then 2 jeeps arrived, amid a squeal of brakes and general laugther. They were very helpful, and Martin got them to agree to help by towing us across, so there were 2 engines moving us

. Achieved that succeessfully. When I tried to photograph the helpers, the local and the women refused point blank, although the men from the jeeps were OK about it.

Oh, it was snowing on and off a lot of the day, though it wasnt settling. Just to add to the problems.

Passed about 2 cars and a lorry, apart from the jeeps, all day. Not a lot of traffic in these here parts.

Got to Hovd/Khovd about 5ish, booked into the hotel, and set about cleaning the car. The inside that is. There is dust everywhere, and has been all day. Checking the sat nav was difficult as I never knew whether the dust was on the sat nav, my glasses (inside and out) or just in my eyes. What driving was for Martin I have no idea.

Anyway, they have internet here, so I'll try and upload the blog.

PS Like to hot water, it doesnt work. You'll have to wait a bit longer. Probably until UlaanBataar

Martin's Mongol moment:

Yep.The road was as bad as you could imagine and you can see from the recorded distance (lowest ever) what slow progress we made.But some good things.We pulled the exhaust apart when we crossed one ford but this was easily fixed because of a tip I had used in assembling pipework for such events.Then when I saw the two 4 x 4 s and waved them over we had a towrope and front towing point which enabled us to get out of quite a jam

.Roger and I now having consulted further maps realise that we have these conditions to face for about 750K.If we can get through next 2/3 days it should be a little easier for run in to Ulaanbaatar and we may change our route to exit North from there to go up to Russia which we think has a tarred road rather than banging on East which we now know is a rough road .Note for David Williams:The Arambol high-vis jacket takes pride of place over driver's seat - I'll try to get a picture when its in a more significant position - hopefully Vlad.I do not know when these blogs will be updated - we are struggling to get internet access but keep plugging away for us - we'll need it in next few days.I cannot remember when I last had a hot shower and even as speak Roger is engaged in his customary battle with the proprietors who assure him that if he lives long enough,hot water will be his (or even mine)Me? Sand in every orifice and oil under my nails you could recycle.Still if the hotel do not allow us to clean ourselves,they can wash the sheets. But does that mean....